Trip code | |
Package name | Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar Trekking |
Duration | 15 |
Max. elevation | 5550 m |
Level | Advance |
Transportation | |
Accomodation | Hotel/Tea House Lodge on the trek |
Starts at | Kathmandu |
Ends at | Kathmandu |
Trip route | |
Cost | USD 1,618 per person |
The flight into the Himalayas offers breathtaking views of the major peaks Mt. Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m), Mt. Ganesh (7,422 m), Mt. Purbi Chhyachu (6,637 m), Mt. Langtang (7,227 m), etc. (weather permitting), taking you directly into the Himalayan capital of Kathmandu. After immigration formality on arrival, as you exit the airport terminal you will be greeted and welcome by a Sampurna Adventure personal & transferred to your hotel, Spend the rest of the day at leisure for personal activities following your program briefing or you may familiarize with the narrow lively, and endless streets around Thamel town (Touristic center), where you will find all kinds of good restaurants, ATMs and exchange money, full of typical Nepali handicrafts, fine jewelry, clothing, and trekking gear stores.
After breakfast, we take an enchanting 25-minute flight takes you offering breathtaking views of lush green and White Mountains, will reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. Upon arrival at Lukla, you will meet our other Sherpa crew members and after some further arrangements, the trail start through the prosperous village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. Due to acclimatization, we will have short trek up to Phakding, later we can visit the nearby monastery.
The trek through a beautiful pine forest, the trail leads us along the Dudh Koshi River passing by some suspension bridges; one of them is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. On the way we will have first glimpse of Mt. Thamserku (6618 m). We will pass through the beautiful villages of Benkar, Chumoa, and Monjo, followed by check post and entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. At the last we will pass by Jorsale before reaching Namche Bazaar. The trail climbs through the forests and bridges until we reach the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. After a final steep ascent of two hours, we will have first sight of Mt. Everest peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge where we can stop to catch the view. Finally, we will reach to Namche Bazaar, a gateway to Mt. Everest and main trading and Sherpa village of this region.
In Namche Bazar: Rest Day for "acclimatization", but you are suggested to explore short hiking to Thame, Khunde or exploring Namche Bazaar itself. Namche Bazar is the main business center of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices; where you will find ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market on Friday evening and Saturday. take a visit to Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where you can observe an assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life of the Everest region.
The route to Tengboche offers nice view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam and close up view of Thamserku. It follows with some ups and downs offering the magnificent Himalayan views. On the way, if you are lucky one can spot musk deer, a herd of Himalayan Thar and multicolored pheasants. The trail goes gradually down up to Khumjung, Sansa, it is the major trail to Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp. The trail follows through the pine forests and after crossing the prayer flags festooned bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, you will reach Phunki Tenga, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses and a small army post amidst the alpine woods. After a relaxed lunch at Phunki Tenga, the trail goes slightly climbing through the pine forests to Tengboche. From Tengboche you will have close up views of Mt Ama Dablam, Mt Nuptse, and Mt Everest, and the biggest Buddhist Monastery of the Khumbu region. In the afternoon visit to the Tengboche monastery to witness the evening ceremony.
Leave Thyangboche and the Khumbu mountains as a backdrop-and descend a rhododendron covered area to emerge on a pleasant level area. You continue to Minlinggo and leave the mountain path to cross over a suspension bridge to the left bank of the Imja Khola. Climb the mountain path while looking up at Ama Dablam and Kantega (6779m) as they appear on the opposite bank. Ascend the Chorten-lined route, come to a fork, the upper path passes Pangboche and a monastery, take the lower path to Pangboche Olin and its stone wall-enclosed potato field. Pass through the village and cross a stream to a path skirting a rocky area to terraced hills along the riverbank. The trails climb slowly, winding above the Imja Tse River, to a big Mani Stupa. From here, the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imja Tse Valley beneath the mighty peaks of Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Lhotse with views of the eastern snowcapped mountains including the Island Peak or Imja Tse (6,189m). Dingboche is a beautiful patchwork of fields enclosed by stone walls protecting the crops of barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals.
Dingboche is the most charming last Sherpa village of Khumbu Region, and one of the best places for the acclimatization before proceed to EBC.
As a part of the acclimatization day, we could hike to the top of the Nangkartshang peak, 5,083 m. To reach the top of Nangkartshang peak takes approximately 2-3 hrs, and from the top we could see the beautiful views of Mt. Tawache, Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Lhotse, Everest, and Pumori. Another option would be to visit Chukhung Ri (5546m) in the Khumbu Valley. From a ridge just 10 minutes south of Chukhung, we can see Nuptse, the huge mountain in the background.
The onward journey leads north for up to 50-minutes until you come to a Mani-prayer Stupa. The trail follows a downward path to Pheriche village. Today's walk offers views of the Mt. Tawache, Ama Dablam and to the north-Pokalde (5741m), Kongma-Tse (5820m) and the great wall of Nuptse. After two hours walk, the trail from Pheriche joins near Dungla (4595m) before a small wooden bridge over the river of Khumbu glacier. You stop at Dungla, for lunch, before continuing for an hour up a steep hill to the top, where there are views of Mt. Pumori and other peaks west of Everest. After a short break, continue trekking up to Lobuche, hidden and sheltered from the wind.
Today we head towards Everest Base Camp (5486m.) and back to Gorakshep (5180m.), we trek up the valley following the rocky moraine path, view icy glacial ponds and icebergs down below of the Khumbu glacier. After the last rocky moraine dunes, a short downhill walk takes us to Gorakshep, the flat field below Kala Patthar (5545m) and Mt. Pumori (7145m.). Gorakshep was the location of the original Everest Base Camp with the new camp being further up the valley. From here the trail winds through a rocky path and the Khumbu glacier. The view of Nuptse and Lho-La appears at the front of us. Sometimes an avalanche can be seen on the way. After witnessing a great moment, we retrace our steps back passing through the Khumbu glacier with magnificent views of Lobuche, Cholatse, Mt. Pumori and Tabuche.
An early morning, we climb to Kala Patthar (5545m.) or 'black rock' is a notable landmark located on the south ridge of Pumori above Gorakshep. The trail of 4 km of up and down, Kala Patthar provides the most accessible close-up view of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Thamserku, Khumbutse, Lingtren, and many more peaks.
After spending good time and enjoyment with the most magnificent mountain panorama, we then back to Gorakshep for breakfast and continue our trail back to Pheriche. The town of Pheriche is known to be a very windy town. Around here we can see the perpendicular walls of Cholatse and Tawache. Also, we will find the Himalayan Rescue Association Aid Post and foreign volunteer doctors are available here most time of the year to provide medical treatment to trekkers as well as the local people.
In the morning you can visit to the research center. Then, trek back to Namche, an easier descent passing through rhododendron forest and continue walking to Thyangboche. It is a small village with a famous monastery offering you splendid views of Ama Dablam, lush green hills and river. Later trek mostly downhill on the main busy trail with a few steep climbs for an hour from the bridge at Phungitenga, near to Shanasha. The walk to Namche is very scenic on a long winding path,
The last day of our trek leads us to Lukla. The trek is pleasant, except for few short uphill climbs and then down to the Bhote- Koshi River crossing it several times. The last uphill climb of 45 minutes will bring you to Lukla for your overnight stay.
We have our last dinner in the mountain with expressing gratitude towards our Sherpa team who accompanied us to make our trip successful!!
On arrival, we meet our vehicle waiting at the domestic airport and transferred to Kathmandu.
Rest of the day at leisure for personal activities, you can explore the narrow lively and endless streets of Thamel where you will find all kinds of good restaurants, full of typical Nepali handicraft, fine jewelry and clothing and trekking gear store. In the evening Nepali dinner with cultural show.
Visits in Kathmandu: Visit Swoyambhunath Stupa with its 2,500-year history. Later visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, the ancient royal residence, Kasthamandap, Mahadev & Parvati Temple, Kumari palace sacred for Buddhists and Hindus and bazaars.
In the afternoon, visit Patan Durbar Square, the old Newar City with the Golden Gate, the Temple of Taleju, Golden Temple and surrounding beautiful monument,
Breakfast, In the morning free for personal activities, we can explore the narrow lively and endless streets of Thamel town where we will find all kinds of good restaurants, full of typical Nepali handicraft, fine jewelry, clothing and trekking gear store, later at the arranged time, transfer to the airport for final departure.
We wish you a safe flight and hope to serve you back in near future. End of Service.
During Tea house Trek: